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Monday, February 9, 2015

University Libraries at USD calls for entries for altered book exhibition ‘Bound and Unbound III’

Sponsored by the University Libraries Arts and Exhibits committee, “Bound and Unbound III: Altered Book Exhibition” features an exhibit of altered books – a mixed media artwork that changes a book from its original form by altering its state or meaning. Books from any source and media are eligible for this exhibition, and all work must be original and executed within the last three years.

“Exhibiting altered books in the University Libraries is quite fitting. Since the 15thcentury, technology, popular tastes and expectations, and aesthetic ideals have shaped the form and function of the book,” said Dean of Libraries Daniel L. Daily. “Though seemingly stable until the most recent decades and the pressures and promise of digital technologies, the history of the book is marked by change--alteration. Bound and Unbound III will provide artists and the public the opportunity to explore the amazing durability and malleability of the book and its power to communicate ideas.”

“2013 marked our inaugural year for opening up this biennial exhibition to the jury process as well as making the call for entries international. We had 16 states represented as well as six countries,” said committee member Sarah A. Hanson, Digitization and Photographs Associate at the University Libraries. “The response was very positive, providing a range of artistic and cultural diversity, and we are happy to embrace the University Libraries as a venue for the altered book.”

This year’s juror is Sandra Brooke, associate professor of art at the College of Liberal Arts; Oregon State University-Cascades in Bend, Ore. Brooke received both her B.F.A. and M.F.A. from the University of Oregon. She currently works in encaustic “where the past and the present are mixed together through disparate images in layers of wax.” Since 2010, Brooke has been in 16 juried shows of which three were national juried, 12 were by invitation, and one was a solo exhibition at Dakota State University.

Entries for “Bound and Unbound III: Altered Book Exhibition” are open to the public and artists can submit up to three entries by March 4. There is no fee to enter the exhibition and selected books will be on display at USD’s University Libraries second floor exhibition cases from Aug. 24 through Jan. 4, 2016 as well as entered into the altered book collection on the Digital Library of South Dakota atdlsd.sdln.net. A full prospectus and entry form for the exhibition can be found atlibguides.usd.edu/altered-entry. University Libraries reserves the right to refuse work difficult to exhibit due to excessive size, weight or difficulty in presentation.